Below you will find five outstanding thesis statements / paper topics for “Frankenstein” by Mary Shelley  that can be used as essay starters. All five incorporate at least one of the themes found in Frankenstein and are broad enough so that it will be easy to find textual support, yet narrow enough to provide a focused clear thesis statement. These thesis statements on Frankenstein offer a short summary of different elements that could be important in an essay but you are free to add your own analysis and understanding of the plot or themes to them. Using the essay topics below in conjunction with the list of important quotes from Frankenstein by mary Shelley, you should have no trouble connecting with the text and writing an excellent essay.

Thesis Statement/Essay Topic #1: Frankenstein as a Gothic Novel & Example of Romanticism

Frankenstein is one of the finest expressions of the Gothic novel and also fits many of the characteristics of a Romantic novel. Consider all of the elements that comprise a story—including setting, character development, narrative voice, tone, to name just a few—and explain how each element contributes to the novel’s identity as a Gothic text or example of Romanticism. Then, offer your interpretation of Shelley’s message, if you believe she intended to convey one to her reader. If, alternately, you believe that the novel is purely for entertainment purposes, substantiate your claim with textual evidence.  If you are stuck, please check out An Overview of Romanticism in Literature and Romanticism in Frankenstein

Thesis Statement / Essay Topic #2: Victor as God in “Frankenstein” by Mary Shelley

Many students and critics have accused Victor of “playing God” by fabricating the Creature in his laboratory. Playing God, though, implies that a character is flawed by excessive hubris, which may or may not be applicable to Victor. Consider your own reaction to this charge, and write an essay in which you construct a solid argument that conveys your position to the reader. You will need to identify Victor’s character traits and explain how they do or do not substantiate the claim that Victor is trying to play God. You will also need to be sure to cite specific actions that Victor takes which provide evidence for your own claims. It might also be useful to consider the ways the presence of a “god” has an effect on the Creature in Frankenstein by Mary Shelley.

Thesis Statement / Essay Topic #3: The Modern Prometheus: The Meaning of the Subtitle of “Frankenstein”

The subtitle of Shelley’s novel, Frankenstein, is “The Modern Prometheus.” Prometheus was a figure from Greek mythology who stole fire from the gods and used it to create humans. Based on your knowledge of this myth, construct an essay in which you defend or refute the idea that Victor is the modern Prometheus. Incorporate specific, concrete evidence from the novel to support your arguments. Be sure to dig beneath the surface similarities between the myth and Shelley’s novel in order to identify latent symbols and their significance.

Thesis Statement / Essay Topic #4: The Narrative Structure in Frankenstein

Mary Shelley’s novel, Frankenstein, has three narrators who tell the story of the Creature’s creation and his subsequent actions. Write an expository essay in which you explain the function of the three distinct narrators and their respective stories. Identify how each of the narrators differs, what his motives might be, and what the implications are for the novel. You may wish to go beyond this suggestion to offer a well-considered opinion about who you believe to be the most reliable narrator, and why. Alternately, you may wish to argue how the novel would have been different if one or more of the narrators was not present in the text.

Thesis Statement / Essay Topic #4 The Character of the Creature

Considering the Creature’s version of events, conveyed to the reader through his narrative, decide whether you feel empathic towards the Creature’s plight, or whether you think he is an abomination. The essay you write will be persuasive in nature, as you want to convince your reader to adopt your point of view. You may wish to focus on one or more specific passages in order to build your argument. In any case, develop the essay fully by remarking upon the Creature’s significance and what he may represent with respect to society.

* Articles related to the topics here include Overview of Romanticism in Literature       Frankenstein by Mary Shelley: Morality Without God     The Presence of Romanticism in Frankenstein     Comparison of Notions of Humanity in Frankenstein and Flowers for Algernon